The Classy Ladies of College Lifestyles are assisting COSMO on the hunt for the hottest ‘gents’ in the US!

Yes!  You read that right!  The Classy Ladies of College Lifestyles are assisting COSMO on the hunt for the ‘hottest’ gents in the U.S!  We are adding our own spin and encourage we all nominate those those ‘gents’ who make us swoon!  So we ask, do you know of a special guy who walks you to class, or the guy who is outstanding in IFC/fraternity activities, or the guy who is a great actor in school theater, or the great RA in the dorm, or even the guy who does awesome philanthropy work with his fraternity.  If yes, then read on and nominate this gent!

How can you nominate?  Read on from former College Lifestyles Intern Casey Gueren, who now interns with COSMO……

‘Cosmo is on the hunt for the hottest single guys in the U.S. for our annual Bachelor Contest. This year, one lucky guy will be crowned Bachelor of the

Year – winning $10,000 and a new Express wardrobe! As classy and fabulous co-eds, you could help us to find bachelors that are smart, sexy, and, of course, single!

The Bachelors chosen from each state will be featured in the November issue and will be invited to attend exclusive Cosmo events. If you know someone who deserves to be the next Bachelor of the Year, send us an email with the completed nomination.

Many of our past Bachelors go on to other exciting projects, like starring on ABC’s The Bachelor (Andy Baldwin, California, 2005), hosting VH1’s Tough

Love (Steven Ward, Pennsylvania, 2003), and playing in this year’s Superbowl (Jabari Greer, Tennessee, 2007).

To nominate your eligible bachelors, send a completed nomination to me at CGueren@Hearst.com. You’ll need to provide the following information:

 Your name, e-mail, phone number, address, and relationship to the bachelor. (Sorry, he can’t be your boyfriend—he has to be single!).

 Bachelor’s name, e-mail, age, height, weight, profession, state of residence, and address. (College and graduate students may represent their hometown state or the state where they attend school. All other nominees must represent the state where they reside 9 months out of the year.)

 Two color photos of the nominee. (One head and shoulders; one shirtless, full-body shot).

 An explanation of why he should be Cosmo’s Bachelor of the Year (250 words or less).

For more information, check out http://www.cosmopolitan.com/bachelors! Make sure to send all nominations directly to me at CGueren@Hearst.com to ensure that they are processed correctly! And remember, the deadline is March 25th!’

Nominate those great gents!!  Also, let us at College Lifestyles know if you nominate a special gent (info@collegelifestyles.org)!  We want to give him a great applause!!

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She is super excited read about the great ‘gents’ our readers know and love!

‘Eat Well and Be Fabulous’ gets a Great Review from The Campus Socialite!!!

Wow!  I am so excited!  ‘Eat Well and Be Fabulous’ received a raved review from The Campus Socialite!

‘Eat Well and Be Fabulous’ is based on 4 individuals – a high school senior, a student/sorority leader, an intern, and a professional – and their trails/tribulations in the big, bad world of diets!  All learn how to eat, not diet!  I loved writing the book; and I loved reading the review by The Campus Socialite!

As stated in The Campus Socialite:

‘Unlike many of the diet books I have read in the past, Shelly knows what it is like to be on a college campus and has figured out how to get around the bad choices we often see daily.’

‘Although my favorite part of the book is towards the end where she gives us reasonable choices to choose from for breakfast, lunch and dinner.’

Read to full review here!

Part of being fabulous is giving thanks – thank you so much The Campus Socialite for the great review.

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She is so excited to learn her book has a great review!!!!

Improving Your Chapter Image. How to Get Noticed? Part 3.

At NGLA last weekend, I had the honor of presenting ‘Where Have all the Chapters Gone?  Improving your Chapter Image’ to a group of fabulous sorority ladies!  A question came up after the presentation (which was full!) in regards to ‘We just can’t seem to get noticed.  It seems no one wants to come to recruitment events.  What can we do?’

In discussing the situation, I learned 2 common ‘mistakes’ the chapter was making to hurt their image.

1. Staying in.  The chapter fell into the habit of staying in the chapter suite 24/7.  The chapter was well versed in recruitment training; but no one was attending the planned events.  While comfortable with one another, the chapter members were not ‘out and about’ with the campus community.’

1. Too much business. While staying in the chapter suite, the chapter had great ‘business events.‘  However, one of the chapter members I was chatting with made the comment ‘It seems like all I do is work and have no fun.’

How was this hurting their image? By not getting ‘out and about’ and having ‘great meetings but no fun,’ the chapter didn’t really have a positive or negative image.  In fact,   the chapter seemed to fall into the wallflower category.  While the chapter didn’t have any issues with anyone, nor a ‘bad behavior’ issue, the chapter struggled with getting noticed.

Using a bit of my spokesperson background, I gave the chapter a few tips on getting noticed by the campus student body:

1. Get out in the open.  When I was a media spokesperson for Louisiana Dietetic Association, I was out in the open calling radio/TV stations.  How can we relate this to our chapters?  Sounds silly, but we have the habit of gravitating back to our dorm room or chapter suite to chat with our sisters.  Still have those chats; but look at going to the student center, a local restaurant, or even Target.  Oh, and wear those lovely letters!
2. Meet your sisters after class AND walk to class together (especially on test days!).  Remember, these are the individuals we care about!  Give them a pep talk on the way to class.  I can remember my sister Susan would meet me after my Mass Communication class on M, W, F and from there we would walk to the student center for lunch.  Many individuals in my class would comment on how ‘neat’ it was that someone would meet me after class.  Can we say a good image!?
3. Plan a fun night (or day!).  No kidding!  I am always amazed on how perfect chapters are at business, yet when I ask about the last fun night they had – it is dead silence!  Plan to go to the movies, bowling, or even to the mall.  Take pictures.  Post on Facebook.  Update status reports to reflect the fun you had with your sisters!
4. Playing nice and giving thanks. In my work as a spokesperson, I would always play nice and give thanks.  And no, not fake nice – for example ‘I love your blouse.’  Icks.  Just being polite and mindful with all who I worked with, and I was sure to send a thank you to each individual who I chatted with.  So, no, cheesy, fake nice (fake nice = cheesy smile + 2 or more  compliments to each person who walks in the door – this can even turn creepy); but genuine nice.  Genuine nice is simple tactics – holding the door for someone if their hands are full, offering pen/pencil/scantron to a classmate if they forget theirs, joining a study group (and being a good member of the group), helping someone up if they fall/trip or drop books, and the most important – a thanks!  Tell someone thank you if they extend a compliment to you or ‘play nice!’

Remember, you will not be noticed if you hide!

Shelly Marie Redmond, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She had a fabulous time at AFLV-Central (even though she was a day and one half late due to snow) and NGLA!

All You Need is Love – Improving a Chapters Image (Part 2)

In the spirit of Cupid, hearts, and love; it is fitting to relate our post on improving your chapter image to ‘love!‘  Sounds cheesy, but it really is not!  Who wants to join a chapter where everyone wants to ‘break up?’  While I am not asking you all let out an ear-piercing shriek when you see your sisters (I am guilty of this!); but loving each other is not only a wonderful thing to warm the chapter heart but to let the whole campus community know the strength of your sisterhood bond!  Share the love – its nice!

There is a fantastic Sex in the City episode where Charlotte (still married to Trey) hosted a dinner party for the girls and their significant others.  Charlotte and Trey began to bicker, and while the crowd listened for a few seconds (seemed like an eternity), each couple made a quick exit out of the apartment while the bickering continued.

This is the same as our chapters!  Honestly, no one likes to be around people who argue.  At the same time, we all have a need to be loved and appreciated.  When we are loved, we tend to be happy and talk about what made us happy (hello Facebook status update)!  In return, individuals (including non-Greeks) will start to look at the chapter in a more positive light.

Simple ways to ‘Share to Love’ to Improve your Chapter Image:

• Hand-written notes. Simple hand written notes to your sisters saying ‘Love you, good luck on your test!’ are great!  I used to ‘sneak’ notes in my sisters backpacks as a simple reminder.  Yes, I was known as a sweetheart!
• Valentine’s cards now AND later.  Valentine’s are great to give out now (and so much fun), but stock up after Valentine’s Day and pass out during mid-term, finals week, and recruitment.
• Chalk the walk! (Please obtain permission from your university!)  Messages of good luck during mid-terms and finals; as well as ‘secret’ messages to your lil sis is such a nice idea!
• Pictures! Posting fun pictures on your dorm room door, bulletin board, in a see-through binder for not only you, but for the entire campus community to see!
• Sister of the week! Use your mascot (example – Tau of the Week, MVS of the week) and ask for nominations from the floor at each chapter meeting.  Take a pic of the sister and her nominator.  Have the entire chapter post the pic on their Facebook wall, as well as update their status – Congrats to (insert name) our (award) of the week!  Don’t be shy about sending this to your FSA/Greek Adviser.
• Instructor/Professor/Adviser of the month. Same type of format as #5.  Ask for a picture with the winner, be sure to frame picture and give as a present!

What are ‘Share the Love’ ideas you all have?

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She admits she is a bit of a ‘cheese-ball’ and loves to ‘Share the Love!’  She is thrilled to present ‘Improving Your Chapters Image’ at NGLA!

Tired of Chips and Dip?! Fabulous Appetizers for a Girls Night In!

I admit, I love appetizers!  Appetizers are easy to prepare (you can even prepare these in your dorm room or apartment), usually cheaper than a full course meal (a lot!), and make a great display for a girls night in (so, I like things that look nice!)!

The only problem?  Sometimes our appetizers revolve around the ever famous chips and dip.  In other words – boring and loads of calories.  Surprise your friends with these yummy and healthy appetizers at your next night in (I am thinking for my True Blood Night!)!

Tomato Mozzarella Plate

I love this dish because the color is SO vibrant!  Did I mention it is delicious?

1 Tomato

1 Mozzarella Ball (look in the deli section OR where the speciality cheese are located)

Basil (look in the produce section)

Olive oil

Pepper

1. Wash tomato and basil.
2. Slice tomato and mozzarella (thin slices)
3. Layer tomato, mozzarella, basil.
4. Sprinkle with olive oil and pepper.
5. Smile and eat!!!

Other suggestions:

Edamame

I found this steam in the bag version at Target (my favorite store!).  Just steam and pour in a bowl.  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt!

Olive You Dish (Say it fast!)

Purchase a variety of olives and place in a dish!  Be sure to select black and green varieties.

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She gets super excited to go the the grocery store, especially Central Market.  Her vacations usually revolve around visiting 3 stores:  the Apple Store, Central Market, and a Galleria (so not a store)!

Help for Haiti: What Can We Do?

Past post of College Lifestyles have focused on various philanthropic endeavors of collegiate and sorority organizations; discussing how wonderful it feels to become involved and assist those in need.  Right now, our help is needed to assist in disaster relief with the nation of Haiti.

 

Disasters strike many times without warning.  Many thoughts and feelings run through our minds as to ‘What Can I Do?  How Can I Help?’  Haiti is currently in need of our assistance.

There are a variety of ways to get involved.  At College Lifestyles, we encourage you to visit the following site to find out how you can assist with the efforts in Haiti:

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake_embed

 

Whether you decide to make an individual contribution or organizational contribution; please remember any amount of assistance is appreciated and will overall make the world a better place.

 

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She remembers days of being a child and assisting her mom in delivering Thanksgiving baskets to those in need.  She practices those values today as a huge Food Bank supporter, as well as in supporting the Red Cross in natural disasters with Katrina and Gustav and now, Haiti.

What’s your Favorite Pandora Radio Stations? CL Dishes on Ours!

Who doesn’t love Pandora – we dish on our favorite stations!

‘I love, love, love the Jesse Cook, Harry Connick Jr, Christmas, and Ferry Corsten station!’

~Shelly, CL Executive Director

‘My favorite Pandora station is GLEE cast radio and John Mayer. Actually I am a big fan of the quick mix option. I sometimes even through in the Backstreet Boys just for fun.’

~Sara

‘Unfortunately Pandora doesn’t have rights in Ireland, so I can’t listen to any stations!  I would love to though, but apparently Pandora should have rights in Ireland soon so I will let you know when that happens!’

~Deirdre

‘My favorite Pandora station is Michael Buble. I love the jazzy tunes of Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Jr. they play. ’

~Shannon

‘My favorite stations are the Christmas stations,contemporary country,classic hip hop,pop/rock, and new age pop!’

~Alle

‘My favorite Pandora stations are usually ones that get me pumped up and

ready to go!  I generally type in something fast like Lil’ Weezy or

Drake–but sometimes I even type in Miley Cyrus!’

~Breanna

‘My favorite Pandora stations include ‘Lady Gaga Radio’ (because she is just genius and Pandora finds some pretty good songs like hers), ‘Justin Timberlake Radio’ (guilty pleasure here!), ‘Taylor Swift Radio’ (that is one talented little lady), and ‘Muse Radio’ ( I just love them!). Pandora is great!’

~Kaitlyn

‘We aren’t able to access Pandora in Canada ‘

~Marisa

‘Well I am girly and “pop”ish when it comes to Pandora! I always love Christina Aguilera and Lady GaGa station plays a very wide variety! Otherwise, I stick to genre stations! =)’

~Kayla

‘I love the Tyrone Wells station. I saw him as the opening act for my favorite band, Better Than Ezra, at the House of Blues in Houston this summer. I have a small crush on him. The station has a lot of mellow rock from artists like Matt Nathanson, Howie Day, John Mayer and Mat Kearney.’

~Stephaine

‘I’m not sure if mine counts – my favorite Pandora is the ones I’ve created!’

~Liz

We posed the same question on Twitter!  The top radio station:  Taylor Swift!!

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles!  She loves Pandora radio and finds herself singing with the tunes while working.  This could be scary since she does not have a great singing voice!

The Dish on CL’s Founder and Director – Shelly :)

Name: Shelly Marie

Dream job: Taking College Lifestyles to a full fledge magazine and TV Show!  Can we say Editor-in-Chief of College Lifestyles!  I would like Tyra’s spot OR the 5th hour of the Today Show!

One word to describe me: Intuitive

Favorite movies: Say Anything, Casablanca

Favorite TV Shows: True Blood , Glee, Mad Men, Intervention, pretty much anything on the Soccer Channel, TLC, Food Network, and A&E

Favorite Color: Yellow

Coke or Pepsi: Diet Coke

I can’t live without: My Bunny, My Kitties, MACBook, Internet (sorry, I can’t), IPhone, CL Interns, Lil Sis, Big Bro, dark chocolate, coffee, carmex, mascara, Shelly cooked food

Pet peeves: Rude People; people who talk and laugh really loud, especially if  I am at dinner with my bunny; people who talk on their cell phone in the bathroom (gross); guys who call me ‘Girl’

This makes me smile: Hanging out with my loved ones ; cooking

If I had $1 million I would: Buy a CL Loft and Business space (probably in Chicago) and CL would become an officially published magazine (see question 2)!

Cats or dogs: Cats (I have 3 – Max, Gizmo, and Theodore Roosevelt)

When I feel blue I: Crank up the music and dance!

My friends say I am: Witty

Anything else to add: I have a true appreciation for anything classic – the mannerisms of the 40s/50s are top notch in my book!  I love my job as the Executive Director of CL!  I have the wonderful honor of serving as the National Vice President of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority!

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She loves, loves, loves CL!  How many people can say that about their jobs?

Winter Chill? It’s Cocoa Time!

Whether your are enjoying the snow from the inside of your warm room, hanging inside your house wrapped in your snuggie, or our catching the ‘semi-annual‘ sales with your BFFs; nothing warms us up better than hot cocoa (I love to throw a few marshmallows on mine)!

Cocoa has been found to have some health benefits, so please don’t feel guilty when craving the delicious chocolate-y drink.  But don’t overload the extras; as Coco Chanel (no pun intended) encourages us to remove an item of jewelry before leaving the house, avoiding overloading your cocoa with whipped topping, caramel, and syrup.  Enjoy the taste of the pure cocoa!

Create your own cocoa recipes and variations.  When I was traveling through Argentina, we made cocoa with hot milk and would stir a thin chocolate bar until it melted (can we say YUM!).  My 2 store favorites – I found the Belgium Dark Chocolate variety at World Market, and I just love the smell of the Ghirardelli Peppermint Cocoa.  Delicious!

What are your favorite variations of cocoa?

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She is a self-proclaimed chocolate and cocoa-aholic!

CL Answers (and Ask!) – What will make 2010 your Best Year Ever!!!

At College Lifestyles, we always like to take the ‘fabulous’ spin on everything.  Instead of a mundane New Year’s Resolution of ‘losing weight, studying more’ (yawn!), base your your New Year’s Resolution on ‘What will make 2010 your Best Year Ever?’

What will make my 2010 the best?

‘My 2010 will be filled with fun, laughter, and personal learning!  I plan to have more date nights with my BFFs, family, sisters, and bunny (wink!).  This means lots of coffee dates, maybe a few weekend get-a-ways, and lots of You Tube moments.  I will continue to surround myself with happy, fun folks!  Personal time will be spent reading a  a bit more and perhaps learning a foreign language.’

Here is what some of our fabulous interns noted:

‘2010 will be my best yet because I will be entering my third year of college, and I will be learning lots of exciting nutritional knowledge.’

~Jennifer

‘2010 will be my best year as I begin my job search and the next chapter in life after graduation.’

~Shannon

‘I recently heard this quote: “Learn to be… what you are, and learn to resign with good grace all that you are not.” by Henri Frederic Amiel. 2010 will be my best yet because I am finally ready to be myself. I am going to be confident with who I am, instead of wishing that I was taller or more charming or blonde. I will welcome 2010 with a fresh attitude, striving to be proud of who I am and confident within myself.’

~Deirdre

‘2010 will be my best yet because I will be selfish–that sounds counter-intuitive, but as women we are givers. And sometimes we give too much to the whims and wants of others. I will focus on my needs and growing into the person I would be proud to have as a friend.’

~Stephanie

‘2010 will be my best year yet, because I’ll be entering my senior year,

ready to take on the world, and kicking up the class!’

~Breanna

‘I plan on making 2010 my best year yet by developing my relationships with my girlfriends. More coffee dates, more club nights, more shopping trips, and more down time where we can simply get away from the stress of everyday life, enjoy the best that youth has to offer, and create fun times that will form the basis for awesome memories and a balanced life (and in my case, great article topics! )’

~Marisa

‘I will be graduating and moving into the real world which is really scary and exciting, but a much needed change that will hopefully make it an awesome year!’

~Katy

‘2010 hopefully sees me finding a “big girl job,” which would make it the absolute best year ever!  Other than that, I plan to keep doing the things I love, seeing my favorite people often and sharing all of my experiences with the lovely College Lifestyles readers!’

~Kaitlyn

‘2010 will be my best yet because I will be spending more time with close friends and working hard to achieve my goals.’

~Liz

‘I think 2010 is going to be my best year yet because of all the changes that have recently occurred in my life and the changes that are going to come. In 2010 I will (fingers crossed!) be receiving my minor in Journalism! I will also be moving into a new apartment in downtown Pittsburgh with one of my best friends! At the same time, I know there will be many surprises that happen to me in 2010 and that truly is what I look most forward to!’

~Allison

How will 2010 be your best???

Shelly A Marie, MS, RD, LDN is the Executive Director of College Lifestyles.  She is ready to toast to a fabulous 2010 for the College Lifestyles family!

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